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Sun’s out, sandals on, so why are your toes in winter mode? No matter which team you’re on, nude or bold, or somewhere in the middle, this summer is all about your pedicure speaking louder than your flip-flops. Whether dreamy pastels or edgy black and white, the colors pedicures are sporting in 2025 are anything but boring.
Looking for fun, natural, or straight-up trendy inspiration? You’re in the right place. I’ve compiled the latest ideas, from what’s trending on runways, Pinterest, and actual patios. No gate-keeping here — just 25 looks that’ll make you want to flaunt your toes at every brunch, beach trip, and backyard BBQ this season.
Let’s get into the art, the vibes, and the vibes-with-intention. Which look are you trying first?
French Chic with a Barely-There Finish
There’s something irrestibly classy about a modern French tip on toes – particularly when it’s matched with a natural pinkish-nude base which appears clean, expensive and effortless. This look is a fine line between bridal elegance and barefoot at the beach minimalism. The white tips are softened instead of being harsh, so the vibe is very breathable, and wearable. It’s giving quiet luxury, and it’s definitely one of my favorite cute summer toe nails for 2025.
You can do this look with OPI’s Funny Bunny or Essie’s Marshmallow for that soft French tip, and a sheer pink like Zoya’s Bela or Butter London’s Piece of Cake underneath. I always use a high-gloss top coat – Seche Vite is my favourite – to keep everything sealed and fresh-looking for days.
Start by shaping the nails into a soft square. Use your base shade and then use a French tip guide or a super thin nail art brush to paint on the curved white tips. Two coats max. Let it dry thoroughly before applying your top coat – don’t rush it. And a pro-tip from celebrity nail artist Tom Bachik? Use a fine-tipped brush dipped in remover to clean up the cuticles, so that the finish will look extra pro.
I personally love wearing this when I’m changing from dressy sandals to barefoot beach walks. It’s a manicure that doesn’t scream, but everyone notices. Also, it’s ideal for weddings, summer trips, or even for lounging in linen at home.
Rosé & Sparkle on Satin
This one’s for the girls who love a bit of glam but want to keep it soft. A nude-pink base, rose-gold glitter and a thin metallic stripe? That’s a subtle statement if I’ve ever seen one. The colors are perfect with sunkissed skin and feel totally on point for 2025 – elegant, but fun. I’m obsessed with how this toe design combines texture (glitter) with shine (metallic), and still has that everyday wear-ability. Super pretty, super wearable.
I’d recreate this look with Olive & June’s EC for the blush-pink base and OPI’s My Address Is Hollywood for that shimmer toe. For the glitter? Essie’s Summit of Style is always in my kit. Use gold striping tape or freehand a skinny metallic line using nail art pen as Beetles Nail Art Liner in gold.
Two coats of pink polish, and dab glitter only on the accent toe with a sponge for maximum effect. Place the gold line diagonally or vertically before gel top coat is sealed. For longevity, cure under a UV lamp. Nail artist Elle Gerstein says it best: “When you use glitter, balance it with bare space so that the shimmer breathes”. Yes, Elle. Yes.
I wore this style to a friend’s summer rooftop dinner in NYC and received three compliments before we even got to dessert. It’s understated sparkle, not disco ball energy – which is honestly the sweet spot this year.
Lavender Breeze
There’s just something about pastels and summer that feels like a love story. This soft lavender polish screams “romantic getaway” even if you’re just poolside. It’s new, plain, and one of those colors that go with any skin tone. A total win. The gloss is high; the vibe is serene; the finish is so smooth, it looks like glass. One of the easiest to be cute summer toe nails for 2025, for sure.
For this shade, I am loving Lights Lacquer’s Lilac It’s Me or Essie’s Lilacism. Both have that creamy consistency which applies so beautifully in two coats. Use a ridge-filling base coat underneath for the smoothest finish — I use Deborah Lippmann’s All About That Base.
You really don’t need much to achieve this – clean, shaped nails and a steady hand. I skip the nail art here and talk about the application of the polish. It’s that kind of pedi that goes well with minimal white slides, silver toe rings, and iced lavender lattes.
I wore this color last summer in Tulum and I was looking at my feet way more than usual. Lilac tones are just calming — they are like small droplets of calm.
Marble Luxe with Gold Veins
This design is all about the raised nail art — Greek goddess energy in the modern luxury. The marble base in creamy white with random gold veining is simply so beautifully chaotic. It feels like it’s expensive even if you did it at home (and yes, you totally can). This is one of the most elegant and trendy ideas for a summer toe mani – it’s fashion forward and still completely wearable.
For base, I use OPI Alpine Snow and then swirl in pieces of Zoya’s Dove or Sally Hansen’s Fog to create the look of stone. For the gold veins I use Leafgel Gold Art Liner or a classic metallic nail foil. A silicone brush makes blending the marble easier than you’d think.
The trick is to lay down the white polish, then while it’s still tacky, add tiny drops of grey and swirl gently with a detail brush. After drying, apply your gold veins using a thin striping brush. Here a matte or glossy top coat is perfect — both are fantastic. And yes, this works on short nails as well, don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
I’ve done this look before for a summer wedding and it made my simple open-toe heels look ten times more intentional. If you want a luxurious feel without having to go to a salon, this is it.
Color Waves & Pop Art Energy
OK, we’re changing the topic here, this is all about bold, fun, not sorry colors. Bright blue, punchy pink, and graphic wave patterns? It’s giving 90s surfboard-meets-Miami pop art. If you feel like playing this summer and you want to make a splash, this is your inspiration. It’s one of the most expressive designs pedicures can sport in 2025.
For that electric blue use China Glaze’s Frostbite, for the pink use OPI’s Suzi Nails New Orleans and a sheer nude base like Essie’s Mademoiselle. For the waves? Nail art liners or nail stickers will make it easy for beginners.
Begin with a nude base and then use a fine liner brush to swirl your colors in organic S-curves. Let the color dry before going to the next to prevent muddiness. For that juicy shine finish it off with a gel top coat. According to nail artist Betina Goldstein, “Using waves in nail art adds movement and draws the eye — it’s playful without being childish.” Totally agree.
This look recalls to me beach towels, sunsets, and pool parties. It’s fun, flirty, and impossible to ignore. If you are a fan of making your toes the center of attention in your sandals, go bold.
Ocean Pearl & Luxe Marble
This design is among those stunning hybrids — soft white marble with delicate smoky grays and refined streaks of gold glitter. There’s something distinctly oceanic and refined about it. It’s not loud, but it definitely says “I have taste” in the quietest, most luxurious tone. Ideal for beach brides, summer soirée’s or simply to make your everyday slides runway worthy. It falls perfectly into that magical place in between natural and dramatic — which is rare and beautiful.
For the look to get, I would use a solid white base, such as Essie’s Blanc or OPI’s Alpine Snow. For marbled effect use a sheer grey polish and blend with acetone on nail art brush. The gold veins can be colored using Beetles Gel Art Liner in Gold or glitter striping tape can be applied. I always finish with OPI’s Plumping Top Coat for the glassy, jelly like shine.
Here’s how I do it: Base coat first, then two coats of white. After drying, dab thin blobs of grey and quickly swirl with a fine brush dipped in acetone to produce those stone-like waves. Add your gold accents last, then top coat. According to nail artist Julie Kandalec, “Creating organic lines with metallics keeps the look modern and chic — not costume-y”. She’s right.
I’ve had this same pedicure before a trip to Greece – and there was no exaggeration, every woman at the pool asked me about it. The combination of delicate marble with shimmer makes it one of the most classy, elegant ideas of the season.
Mint Mojito Toes
New, zippy, and downright refreshing – this minty green pedicure is air conditioning in polish form. A sophisticated, yet not childish, solid color look, this tone looks great with tan skin, sandy beaches, and white sheets on your feet. The shade feels like summer without screaming for attention. It’s easy, it’s cute, and it’s a complete surprise in the colors 2025 palette I’m personally hoping to see.
I’ve been using Olive & June’s Minty for this, or Essie’s Chillato if you prefer a yellow undertone. DND’s Pistachio Green is also stunning and long-lasting if you’re into gel. Just two coats and a slick top coat and you are good to go.
The best thing about solid color pedicures? They’re fast. Just trim, file, base coat, two coats of polish and top with your gloss. If I’m feeling bougie I will use a toe separator and put a drop of cuticle oil to finish. That’s it.
Whenever I put on this shade, I picture myself drinking a mojito in Havana. It’s playful but still feels curated. And if you’re that kind of person who’s always going for pinks or reds, this is a gentle nudge to go green.
Cherry Blossom Dreams
This pedicure is literal art. Intricate cherry blossoms painted over a white base with accompanying solid red toes? Stop. This is poetry in polish. It’s soft, bold and symbolic – the blooming flowers scream spring and summer in the most romantic way. This design is not only trendy, it is timeless and I absolutely love that it makes your toes a mini canvas. It’s really one of the most inspiring cute summer toe nails for 2025.
To recreate the look you’ll need a white base (Zoya’s Purity), a bright red (OPI’s Big Apple Red) and detail brushes or blossom nail stickers. You can also use dotting tools for building the petals and a super fine brush for the branches.
This one takes a steady hand. Base your base, let dry, then outline the branches in brown or black art liner. Add pink red petals blending in with a small sponge for depth. Finish with glossy top coat. Celebrity manicurist Mei Kawajiri always proclaims: “Tiny florals are wearable art. They’re delicate but striking when done right.” Truth.
I had this on a garden wedding last summer and my toes were low-key the highlight of my look. It’s a conversation starter as well as perfect for anyone who loves a detailed design but wants it to feel soft.
Indigo Ink Swirl
Midnight blue toes with two swirling marble nails in oceanic colours? Sign me up. This design combines contrast and flow in a way that is super modern – sort of like waves colliding with ink spills. The colors are cool, moody, and mysterious, which really is super refreshing in a sea of pastels and brights. Think “stormy seas but make it stylish.”
For the solid toes I use OPI Russian Navy or Zoya Sailor, then mix Essie’s Blanc and Sally Hansen’s Pacific Blue for the marble swirls. Add in a deep blue polish with a jelly finish to harmoniously combine the tones.
After painting the main toes navy, paint your feature nails white. While it is still wet, put in navy and sky blue blobs that swirl with a thin brush or even with a toothpick. Add a drop of acetone for more blending. This gel look is simple with patience and a UV lamp.
The first time I did this was after scrolling through Pinterest too late at night. I loved how it looked so editorial but wearable. Great for a boat day or just to add some spice to the flip flop game.
Monochrome Jungle
This black and white zebra-striped design is edgy and graphic, not for the faint of heart – and that’s what makes it fabulous. Part edgy, part high-fashion, this pedicure shouts, “I know trends” without so much as a word. Animal prints are back (again), and this time they’re coming for your toes. This one is perfect for anyone in search of something fun, dramatic and completely out of the ordinary.
For black, I’d use Lights Lacquer Tuxedo Mask, and OPI’s Funny Bunny for white. The stripes? Either freehand with ultra-thin brush or cheat it with zebra nail decals or stamping plates (game changers, honestly).
Begin with white on your accent nails and black on the rest. After drying, use your liner brush to draw irregular wavy lines or stamp them on. Matte top coat for something more editorial or glossy for more drama. Black and white patterns are the new neutrals, according to the celeb nail artist Gina Edwards. They match everything but still make a point.” Couldn’t agree more.
I tried this just before a city break in Chicago and the combination of chunky sandals + these nails made me feel like a street style star. It’s a bold move, but absolutely worth it.
Lemon Leaf Pop
There’s something ridiculously cheerful about yellow toes – it’s like wearing sunshine. Adorn with a subtle accent of the delicate design of black leaves on a creamy neutral background, and you’ve created your own micro work of art. The contrast of the bold color with the minimalist black and white is very noticeable but completely wearable. It emanates both fun and elegance, a combination that is not common, and hence one of my favorite ideas this season.
To replicate this, I use Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow for the toes and Essie’s Ballet Slippers for the leaf design base. For the branches, a fine liner brush and OPI’s Black Onyx will work. You may also try stamping if you are not confident about freehand lines.
After painting the toes yellow, add your nude base to the big one. Use a detail brush to outline the branch and fill in every one of the little leaves. A glossy top coat pulls the whole look together. This design fits particularly well with straw textures – beach bags and espadrilles.
When I was on vacation I wore this pedi and a stranger stopped me at the beach bar to ask where I had it done. Spoiler: it was DIY. The combination of sunshine and sketch art is so trendy and fresh; it’s impossible not to love.
Dream Big Vibes
This playful, dreamy set speaks straight to the heart. It’s all white, clean, and sharp with sweet red hearts and motivational script – “Dream Big” front and center. It feels like a love letter to yourself. The youthful details are red but the clean lines make it mature and wearable. It’s giving cute, quirky, and unexpectedly inspiring, perfect for long summer days and self-love season.
For the base color start with Zoya’s Purity or Olive & June’s HD. You may use nail decals for the lettering or draw it carefully with a fine brush and OPI’s Big Apple Red. For the hearts, a dotting tool will be helpful for you to get the shape just right – two dots and a swipe for the perfect mini heart.
This is a wonderful style to experiment with if you’re just starting out with nail art. Stickers are totally valid and will make it stress-free. As an editorial nail pro Miss Pop said “Nail art should feel like playtime, not pressure”. Exactly.
I wear this type of pedi when I need a reminder at my feet to remind me to keep chasing big ideas. And when your toes are this adorable? Trust me, the motivation hits different.
Electric Honeycomb
Neon pink with a geometric white honeycomb overlay and silver glitter toes — that is the full-blown festival energy in a pedicure. It’s bright, fearless and absolutely willing to dance in the sand. I love the fact that this design combines clean lines with party sparkle. It’s a bit sci-fi, a bit sweet, and certainly one of the more daring cute summer toe nails for 2025.
Color Club’s Warhol or Lights Lacquer’s Skip It are marvelous for the base color. Apply with fine white nail art pen or hexagon stencil the honeycomb pattern. Polish such as China Glaze’s Fairy Dust or Holo Taco’s Play Rosé puts the sparkles on the other toes.
Paint the pink base and cure if you are using gel. Trace your hexagons with a thin nail brush or stencil on dry polish carefully. Apply your glitter to alternate toes and seal it all with top coat, and you’re ready to glow. Celebrity artist Britney Tokyo always says, “Go full extra – your toes are tiny canvases”. I felt that.
This one’s for the bold. I wore it on a Miami trip and I smiled every time I saw my reflection in a glass window or pool surface. It’s high-energy pedicure inspo, 100%.
Botanical Mocha Elegance
There are earth tones that are having a moment in 2025 and this muted beige and chocolate pedicure is delivering it with botanical minimalism. The black leafy accents on a soft nude background are whisper-soft, yet visually rich. It’s giving oat milk latte meets quiet luxury. This style is definitely squarely in the classy, clean-girl aesthetic lane, but it’s also totally natural and approachable.
Essie’s Wild Nude or Zoya’s Avery will be the base and OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark will be the deep accent tones. The leaves can be drawn on with a fine detail brush using black polish or even a thin permanent marker if you’re careful.
Change the dark brown and nude shades on every toe. Finish with your leafy design last and coat with a matte or high gloss finish. I prefer glossy — it adds depth. This style of look matches so perfectly with all kinds of things from earthy sandals to a chic black one-piece at the beach.
I love the way this design is a grown up version of boho – thoughtful, artsy, and a little bit mysterious. It’s one of those looks that gets compliments in yoga class and at dinner.
Pink Sorbet Sparkle
This is your flirty, glossy, pink pedicure with just the perfect amount of sparkle – sweet but not too sweet. A little chunky glitter close to the cuticle is just the right amount of pop to prevent it from being too basic. This is what I term for your regular pedi with a twist – a go-to with a sense of special occasion.
Essie’s Mod Square or Olive & June’s Pink Sands may be used for the base. For the glitter, Juliette has a fantastic reflective finish that ILNP’s has. Use the glitter with a sponge to be dense or use it lightly to be subtle.
After prepping your nails, paint two pink coats. After dabbing the glitter near the cuticle with a sponge for a more intense sparkle, wait until the second coat dries. Seal with top coat. For additional staying power use a gel base and cure under a lamp.
This was my go-to for a summer picnic date. It went well with anything – denim, white linen even bare feet in the grass. Occasionally, all you need to feel a bit more alive is pink.
Golden Glaze for Glam Days
These metallic chrome toes are providing pure luxury even without trying. The rich gold polish high-gloss finish makes this look part classy, part commanding—somewhat like dipping your toes in 24k. This is the kind of pedicure that demands strappy sandals, tanned skin, and a little “I’m expensive” attitude. The mirrored effect reflects the light for every step making it ideal for beach days and rooftop evenings.
For this look, you will need a solid chrome kit. I have had good experiences with the Born Pretty Mirror Nail Powder and their no wipe top coat for that seamless shine. Choose nude or yellow gold base gel and then apply the powder with patience. The effect? Almost like foil wrapping your toes in luxury. It’s timeless, yet right on cue with colors 2025.
Application tip from celebrity nail tech Julie Kandalec: when applying chrome powder, ensure that your top coat is almost cool—not hot from the lamp. That’s when the powder holds best for that perfect reflection. I found out the hard way one summer before a wedding – let’s just say I had to redo two toes last minute!
Stars & Stripes Forever
And here’s a fun play on patriotic nails that is anything but boring. Crisp red, white, and blue are used with clean artful lines to make a firecracker worthy design. This isn’t just 4th of July energy; it’s a summertime wearable that can be worn. The changeable toes keep it fun, and the flag graphics on the big toes tie it all together like a cute beach towel.
No special effects needed here, just precision. Gel polish is what I’d choose, OPI’s “Big Apple Red,” “Alpine Snow,” and “Russian Navy”. They’ve got that rich saturation that prevents the designs pedicures from looking flat or fading fast. You’ll need nail art brushes with ultra-fine tips and a steady hand (or a tech with one).
The thing I love the most about this style is that it doesn’t feel tied down to just one holiday. Something similar to this, I wore during a trip to Miami in June, and compliments were pouring in hot – especially at the pool. It’s bright, it’s wearable, it’s the perfect level of daring for a summer of inspiration.
Safari Chic in Monochrome
Sometimes a little animal instinct goes a long way. This black and white zebra design with a flash of hot orange makes minimalism a statement. I’d say this is natural, but in some wild way. Served by a base of clean white polish, it’s graphic, unexpected, and still totally wearable with almost any outfit. Think safari-glam meets streetwear edge.
To nail this look at home, I start with a classic white gel base (Gelish “Sheek White” is my go-to). For the stripes, I use a micro liner brush and jet black gel paint. The orange pop? “Neon Orange” from The Gel Bottle – it’s insanely pigmented and it cures quickly. Just top coat it as if your summer is dependent on it.
Can we talk versatility? This is the sort of idea that works for long vacays and short city breaks. It’s artsy, not precious, cute but not too girly. And it makes sandals look like a runway accessory regardless of how basic they may be.
Retro Florals and Seaside Stripes
This design creates that mood – like throwing a cooler for a beach picnic, and a vintage bikini. It’s retro, it’s cute, it’s brimming with inspo. The combination of daisies and stripes in turquoise, coral and cherry red looks like it’s right off a ‘70s summer storybook, but it’s so much more modern due to the exacting placement. Every toe feels like its own little canvas.
I tend to grab ORLY’s Breathable polish range for looks such as this, it’s ideal for a breathable, summer-friendly polish that can still produce strong colors. You’ll need fine brushes or even dotting tools to get the flowers just right, and some patience for those crisp turquoise lines.
This look just makes me happy. I wore something like it on a beach trip to Santa Monica and it seemed to go with every sundress I brought. It’s the type of design that will cheer you up even if you’re only going out for iced coffee.
Blue Blossoms on Matte Sky
There’s something so elegant about this one. A blue matte base with fine floral detailing in pale whites and pinks makes this feel hand painted and artistic. It’s almost like having a little piece of ceramic pottery on each of your toes to walk around with. Subtle but stand out, and seriously classy – like a garden party for your feet.
Creating this look takes a bit of layering. I begin with a matte top coat over a strong blue gel, such as Bio Seaweed’s “Royal Blue”. Next, using a detailing brush, I lay out the florals with gel paints or polish, sealing only the flowers with gloss top coat to provide them with dimension. It’s a slight play on textures that really takes the whole look to another level.
This one brings to mind a summer wedding I attended in upstate New York. It was humid and floral-scented and magical – and this design would’ve been perfect in amongst the peonies and hydrangeas that bloomed everywhere.
Garden Party Greens
Here is a floral fantasy that gives a new touch to your toes without overdoing it. The elegant hand painted flowers are placed on a creamy base and surrounded by shiny green toes that bring the entire look to life. It’s soft, artistic, but still has a lot of fun confident energy. One of those designs that turns your sandals into accessories rather than footwear.
With Essie’s “Mint Candy Apple” or Olive & June’s “JLR,” you can create this look. The florals require a fine detailing brush and gel paints in soft shades of pink, black and green – dotting tools are useful as well. This color palette is in tune with colors 2025, and in beauty earthy tones are reasserting themselves during the summer spotlight.
I’m all in on this one. It brings me back to spring mornings in the backyard with my iced matcha and my journal. When it’s this pretty you find reasons to wear open-toe shoes even in rain.
Cherry Pop Realness
This red cherry toe art is so spot on, it’s almost edible. Combined with a dark cherry red in the adjacent toes, the central fruit pattern provides equal amounts of sweet and bold. It’s playful, feminine, and taps into that slightly retro vibe that always feels right for the season. A literal cherry on top of your cute summer toe nails for your 2025 wish list.
For this fruity moment I would recommend Beetles Gel Polish’s red shade “Crimson Kiss” for that lush color payoff. For the big toe use a white gel base, and freestyle the cherries with a dotting tool or thin brush. Finish off everything with a high shine top coat – no short cuts for you.
It’s the ideal choice if you are looking for cute, but not too complicated. It’s also low-key flirty. I put on cherry nails once for a girls’ weekend and received more compliments in brunch than I could count. Just sayin’.
Starfish & Bubblegum
If there were a spirit animal for summer, it may well be a shimmering pink starfish. This pedi combines vibrant bubblegum shades with neat white highlights and cute marine life patterns, and is a complete beach day must-have. The playful feel isn’t chaotic and there is a whimsical edge that feels very “yes, I’m here to have fun”.
To do this, I would use Gelish “Pink Smoothie” color as your main color and bright white polish for background. You can freehand or stamp the stars in darker pink colours such as “Tickled Pink” by OPI. Start with the stars and then dot the centers for texture.
There is something about this design that makes you want to walk with bare feet on the sand. It’s got that classic colour palette that reminds me of beach towels and popsicles. Great for vacay or if you just want your toes to say, “Let’s get in the water”.
Coral & Leopard, but Make It Chic
This one? It’s wild, but controlled. Coral pink toes with one bold leopard print nail is all the sass of animal print, but still feel wearable. It’s serving “poolside cocktail” with a tinge of “I’ve got this under control”. A mix of classy and rebellious, and one of my favorite ideas for when your outfit could use a little snap.
You can get that sleek coral shade from Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel in “Get Mod” or “Sunbrella”. For the accent nail, a beige base is a must and black and pink gel dots will help create the leopard print. The combo is soft, but it is still trendy enough to make a statement.
This was my default when I had to pack light but wanted a polished look that felt styled. Seriously, I’d carry it out on the spur of the moment, time and again, it just works.
Minty Fresh French Tips
Okay, this one is a whole vibe. It’s an unusual twist on the classic French tip, instead of the white, mint green is used, and it is applied diagonally for that perfect unexpected touch. The outcome is a clean, natural look that is just a little cool-girl energy. Complementary to glossy gel polish, it is at once plain and refined.
For this I suggest Essie’s “Mint Condition” or The Gel Bottle’s “Eucalyptus”. Use a liner brush to draw the diagonal tips – if you’re using gel then cure in between layers. Seal with a glossy top coat and you will get that spa-fresh finish.
I’m a sucker for a modern French. They make me feel connected even if I’m in sweats. And the mint twist? Completely in line with colors 2025 which are leaning clean, breezy, and botanical.
So — are your toes prepared for their great moment? Whether it’s blue waves, pink sparkles, soft white marbles or graphic black leaf patterns, summer 2025 is giving you full permission to play. These cute, classy, and bold designs pedicures are not just pretty polish, they’re a little form of self-expression we take with us everywhere.
Change it up, something new, or an old favorite with a twist. And remember: what is most important about your pedi is that it makes you feel amazing.
And when your toes look like this, every step becomes a little lighter.
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